Mexico national team member Gallardo joins Rayados from Pumas

The 23-year-old, who plays as a winger for his club and left back for his national side, is headed north

It was 90 minutes for Mexico on Monday and a move to a new team on Tuesday. Not a bad start to the week for Jesus Gallardo.

The 23-year-old, who plays as a winger at club level but has been converted into a left back for El Tri by manager Juan Carlos Osorio, is the newest member of Monterrey.

Rayados announced Tuesday that it has signed Gallardo from Pumas, making him the latest signing to arrive under new Monterrey manager Diego Alonso. Goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero, previously of Necaxa, was brought in on a loan deal announced earlier in the day with Hugo Gonzalez heading the other way and joining Los Rayos.

Gallardo joins a club that has been close to winning a title in the recent past, making the final in both the 2017 Apertura and the 2016 Clausura but failing to lift the trophy. That led to manager Antonio Mohamed resigning after this season's early exit from the postseason with the Argentine taking over at Celta Vigo and former Pachuca coach Alonso taking charge with Monterrey.

Article continues below

Gallardo made his professional debut with Pumas in 2014 and between Liga MX and Copa MX fell just one match shy of hitting a century played with the Mexico City outfit. Though the Tabasco native never has known another pro club, he said he's looking forward to this summer and beyond.

"First of all, I'm really happy to come into a situation like Rayados and also to have a place in the World Cup. I'm excited for the World Cup. It's something that every footballer dreams of," Gallardo said in a video released by his new club.

The deal reportedly will keep Gallardo at the northern Mexican side for the next five years. He won't be without competition for his place with Jonathan Urretaviscaya, Aviles Hurtado and Dorlan Pabon options on the wings who are still on Rayados' roster, though rumors about Pabon returning to his native Colombia or once again trying his luck in Europe have swirled in recent weeks.